Gabriela sin Rodrigo | Webster Hall Postponed

Purveyors of heavy metal-influenced acoustic guitar Rodrigo y Gabriela were forced to cancel several U.S. appearances including a high profile showcase at the South By Southwest Music Conference in Austin, Texas, because of a case of mistaken identity. Rodrigo Sanchez’s work visa was put on hold while officials at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City verify that he isn’t the criminal whose name appears on a wanted list, the group’s management said March 14.

“Rodrigo has nothing on his file,” Chris Tetzeli of ATO Records, the duo’s label. “He’s absolutely clean. It’s just this name confusion.” The timing of the incident caused the cancellation of not only the SXSW appearance, but a music festival in Florida and shows in Atlanta, Nashville and Washington.

“There was a lot of anticipation going into these dates,” Tetzeli said.

In other news, the WEBSTER HALL (NY) & ELECTRIC FACTORY (PA) gigs have been moved to April 16th & 18th. All tickets purchased for the original postponed shows will be honored, refunds will be given at point of purchase.